2015 Holiday Season Recap II

We flew in and out of Seattle from California because it was way cheaper than taking a direct flight into Canada. Even though it was a 2 hour drive and a short wait at the Canadian border, the drive wasn't too bad and it gave us the opportunity to stop and have a Seattle day!

Pike Place Market

We got home a couple days before New Year's Eve. I have this strange rule that we at least have to spend one holiday at home during the season. I think it's because in my mind, being home for the holidays is exactly what the holidays are all about. So, since we spent Christmas away, we threw a small NYE game night pajama party with a handful of friends. 

We started off with a nice dinner with friends at Paul Martin's - a nice little neighborhood restaurant.

Then, we got back to the house, prepped some appetizers and desserts and had more drinks, played Taboo and rang in the 2016 with a handful of good friends. 

The next day after breakfast, we were supposed to head to Napa for a leisurely day wine tasting and a nice lunch. However, we underestimated how tired and slow we would be the next day and decided to check out a local winery instead. To our surprise, we had the best time, chatted with the owner and got to have some fantastic tasting wine!

Looking forward to more family time, friendships and fun in 2016!!!

xx, Shiela

2015 Holiday Season Recap - Part I

And just like that, December is over! It went by incredibly fast. In addition to being so busy at work, we decided to throw a Christmas party, visit out of town family for Christmas, host a brunch with my brother-in-law, sister-in-law and their kids and throw a NYE party! It was tiring, crazy but a whole lot of fun!

A quick photo before our Christmas party. Thanks goodness my cousin snapped this photo because it's the only one I got of both of us. 

D and I after the party. We were exhausted!

We flew into Canada a couple days before Christmas and celebrated with our family. My cousin and I love to bake so we tried this new crepe cake with Nutella ganache recipe. Truth be told, it was ok. I think we need a little practice to perfect it. 

Canada's version of the States' Black Friday is called Boxing Day and usually occurs the day after Christmas. My cousin and I had a great time shopping for Christmas decorations and clothes! We stopped at Tim Horton's for a french vanilla cappuccino and Canadian maple custard-filled donuts. YUM!!!

After Christmas, we went to see the canyon lights at the Capilano Suspension bridge. It was freezing outside and the bridge was so scary, but before it got dark the views were amazing! We made it across safely and toured the treehouse course. 

D and I also walked across the glass bottom bridge. Luckily for me, it was too dark to see how far up we were. Heights make me a little uneasy so not seeing what was down there made it manageable for me to walk across. 

Day 4, we did a Vancouver day! First stop, Luckys Doughnuts. They were delicious and definitely not your average doughnuts. Top Row/Left to Right: Peanut Butter and Jelly | Champagne | Salted Caramel | Chestnut |Old Fashioned |Apple Fritter

We also stopped at Beta 5 for some cream puffs. 

Clockwise: Apple Pie | Salted Caramel | Smoked Almond | Douglas Fir

Here's the Douglas Fir up close because it was just so stunning!

Our last day in Canada we decided to sightsee at Canada Place in Vancouver. We ate at Bow Down in Gas Town and walked off all those calories with the cousins. 

Stay tuned for Part II!

xx, Shiela